Big Vacancy

A big vacancy in community

Owen Sound Sun Times, Dec. 26/97.

Letter to the Editor: 

The passing of Margaret Ellen (Dixon) Quinton leaves a large vacancy in this community. Few others have contributed so much time and effort for the benefit of their fellow citizens. She was an extraordinary wife and mother, a dedicated church worker, a long time Women's Institute member, the first woman councillor in Holland Township, community centre and board member, a faithful senior citizen and organizer, member of District Council for Boy Scouts of Canada and a Cub leader, a local historian and member of Historical Society, and an active member of local citizen ratepayer groups.

These are but part of Margaret's contribution to the community and society; all this in addition to a life time dedication to her family.

She diligently pursued her many interests successfully.

Her passing leaves us a legacy of memories that can not replace her, but can not be taken away from us.

We thank God for the privilege of knowing her and being her friend. May she receive her just and deserved rewards. We share her family's sorrow at this time.

The Community of Walter's Falls

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Thank You

 

(from) the Meaford Express, Dec 24/1997

THE FAMILY OF the late Margaret Quinton wish to thank our friends and relatives for their generous support in the sudden loss of a loving wife, mother and grandmother. A sincere thank you to all who sent flowers, cards, and donations, and to those who called or travelled to offer their condolences. Our heartfelt thanks to Rev. Wm. Rowles and Rev. Al Robertson for offering spiritual guidance and conducting a beautiful service; to Hazel Davey for her beautiful organ music during the service at the church; to the staff of the Currie Funeral Home, Chatsworth, for their professional and compassionate support during a difficult time; to the Walter's Falls Women's Institute for their kind generosity and caring thoughtfulness at the lunch after the funeral service; to the Meaford Express for the kind tributes and support you showed Margaret over the years; and to anyone who helped in any way. And above all, to the community of Walter's Falls: your words of encouragement, compassion and comfort were appreciated and will always be remembered 

The Quinton Family thank you.

A similar Thank You note appeared in the Owen Sound Sun Times and ended with:

To anyone who helped in any way our heart felt thanks. May God's richest blessings be given to our six sons who carried their MUCH LOVED MOTHER to her final rest in St. Philip's Anglican Cemetery. 

— In deep appreciation, Maurice Quinton and Family.

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Tribute Appreciated

Tribute to mother was appreciated

She loved writing for The Express

Editor:

I am writing to thank you for your column, about my mother, Margaret Quinton, which was in the Dec. 17 edition of The Express. It has been greatly appreciated by all of my family. As a little boy, I remember my mother taking time, from a hectic household schedule to write for your paper as well as others in the community. It gave her a great deal of satisfaction to know that she was writing for the paper and informing the community. Though I must confess that I did not read many of the earlier contributions, as I did not want to know who had visited who, or who was ill or whatever it was she used to put into those community news columns. I hope that at the time some people appreciated them. I can now understand that those columns were a means, for some readers, to connect and interact, in some manner with their community.

My father bought copies of the paper, with your article, for his children who do not have subscriptions. I believe some of my siblings get your paper even though they live in Hamilton, Ont. and Fort St. John, British Columbia. I guess The Express is a connection to home, a connection to Walter's Falls and a connection to my mother.

Fortunately we are now in a time period where computers have spell check and printers. I know my mother could have benefited from such tools. But those were the days of less technology and even less money; my mother scratching away and you at the other end deciphering and editing. I do not know if I am expressing myself well. I am not a journalist. It is difficult to say how much I appreciate not only the article you wrote but also your years of patience and acceptance of the work of my mother, who like me, was no journalist. I applaud you and your paper for helping my mother become the woman she was. 

Thanks again.

Yours truly, Paul Quinton

This was a letter to the Editor of the Meaford Express published sometime shortly after mother's death — I'd guess Dec 24 or 31, 1997. Document scanned and Google Eye used to capture text. REQ ‘21/04/26

FIRST GLANCE

FIRST GLANCE: Correspondent passes away

(from) The Meaford Express, December 17, 1997

Longtime Meaford Express correspondent and Walter's Falls native Margaret Quinton died last Thursday, December 11, at the age of 77.

Funeral services were held Monday at St. Philip's Anglican Church in Walter's Falls, officiated by Rev. Wm. Rowles, and afterwards many paid tribute to her contribution to her community.

"Her passing leaves a large vacancy in this community. Few others have contributed so much time and effort for the benefit of their fellow citizens," states a tribute to her life submitted to the Express by the citizens of Walter's Falls. She was a wife and mother extraordinary, a dedicated church worker, a long-time Women's Institute member, a community centre board member, a local historian and member of the Historical Society, and an active member of local citizen ratepayer groups.

"These are but a few of Margaret's contributions to her community and society, all this in addition to a lifetime dedication to her family," said the tribute. "Her passing leaves us a legacy of memories that cannot replace her, but cannot be taken from us. We thank God for the privilege of knowing her and being her friend."

Mrs. Quinton is survived by her husband, Maurice and their seven children, Ellen Edmonstone, of Brampton, Larry and his wife Jean, of Brampton, Anthony of Fort St. John, B.C., David and his wife Gail, of Hamilton, Reginald and his wife Kate, of London, Dale and his wife Sherrie, of Mission, B.C., Paul and his wife Judy, of Milton. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Sister of Grace Whieldon of Markdale and Wm. (Mac) Dixon and his wife Shirley, of Mitchell. Predeceased by two sisters, Edna and Iva and a brother, Walter. Interment followed the funeral at St. Phillip’s Cemetery.

The "Please see Page 4." is reproduced in this blog as the entry "A Shining Example".

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A Shining Example

A shining example of hard work, love and dedication

(from) The Meaford Express, Dec 17, 1997

Editor’s Notebook. By Scott Woodhouse

I was introduced to Margaret Quinton just over 12 years ago when I started work at The Express. We didn't really meet. I was handed a piece of paper with some extremely messy handwriting and was told to "decipher it" and type it into the computer.

That's also how I learned about Walter's Falls. Like clock work, once a month, I'd receive a small envelope marked "NEWS" with Margaret's latest missive from the Falls. They were always full of interesting bits of information, community events, and Women's Institute news. I even received one in the mail last Thursday, typed it up and ended it, as usual, with her byline: Margaret Quinton reporting. Life is full of little ironies.

I received a call on Saturday telling me she had passed away Thursday afternoon, probably at the same time I was finishing her latest article, I was shocked and saddened.

In the years since I started at the paper, I've worked on a few stories with Margaret and typed up countless numbers of her community news reports. As I got to know her better, I realized what a special woman she was.

A lady gifted with many talents (neat handwriting was not one of them, sorry Margaret) and boundless energy, she showered them endlessly and unselfishly on others her family, her com munity, and her church.

To me, her name is synonymous with Walter's Falls. Her dedication to the tiny community she called home for so many years was unquestionable.

The day she died, she spent the morning putting up Christmas decorations at St. Philip's Anglican Church with her husband Maurice. Even though she had moved to Owen Sound, she maintained close ties with her community, looking after the church, hosting Women's Institute meetings, and reporting Walter's Falls community news in the Meaford Express.

For many years she served on the board of directors for the Community Hall, acting as chairperson for several terms. She started the Wolf Cub Pack in the Falls, and was its leader for five years.

She has been a life-long member of the Walter's Falls Women's Institute, was its president on several occasions, and this past summer at the 100th anniversary celebration of Women's Institutes held in Hamilton, she was presented with a special award recognizing her years of service.

Along with her active volunteer work, Margaret accomplished a couple of "firsts" of which she was extremely proud.

She was the first woman councillor elected to Holland Township Council and she was the first woman delegate to the Anglican Huron Synod at London, Ont.

Margaret Dixon was born in Holland Township in 1920 and moved into the village of Walter's Falls when she was two years old. She attended Holland Euphrasia S.S.#11, a one room school house. When she was 18, Maurice came along and swept her off her feet and they were married on June 11, 1938. They moved to Waterloo for one year, but soon realized Walter's Falls was home, and returned to run a trucking business and raise seven children.

Margaret and Maurice were dedicated to each other and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June. She was a leader and dedicated member of St. Philip's Anglican Church, decorating it for special occasions, caring for the sacred and vessels, preparing the altar, giving leadership to the A.C.W., and serving as a warden for the past four years.

She enjoyed many hobbies, including making hasty-notes with pressed flowers, quilting, hooking and needlework, and reading.

She was held in high esteem by all who knew her and the large crowd that assembled at the small St. Philip's Church at the funeral service Monday was a testimony to that fact. She lived life to the fullest and her memory will be cherished by all who knew her.

I'm going to miss Margaret and her distinctive handwriting, but I'm a better person for know ing her.

Her life was a shining example of hard work, love, and dedication to her community.

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Obituary: Margaret Ellen Quinton

Click image for more photos ...

(from) the Owen Sound Sun Times. December 15, 1997

 QUINTON-Margaret Ellen

Of Owen Sound and formerly of Walter's Falls, at the Grey Bruce Regional Health Centre on Thursday, December 11th, 1997, in her 78th year. Dearly beloved wife of Maurice Quinton. Dear mother of Ellen Edmonstone, of Brampton; Larry and his wife, Jean, of Brampton; Anthony, of Fort St. John, B.C.; David and his wife, Gail, of Hamilton; Reginald and his wife, Kate, of London; Dale and his wife, Sherie, of Mission, B.C.; Paul and his wife, Judy, of Milton. Grandmother of ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Sister of Grace Wheildon, of Markdale and Wm. (Mac) Dixon and his wife, Shirley, of Mitchell. Predeceased by two sisters, Edna, Iva and one brother, Walter. Margaret was an exceptional woman. She lived life to its fullest and her memory will be cherished by all who knew her. Friends called at the CURRIE FUNERAL HOME, 239 Garafraxa St., Chatsworth, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Satur day evening and 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday. The funeral service will be held at St. Philip's Anglican Church in Walter's Falls, on Monday, December 15th at 1:30 p.m. Interment to follow at St. Philip's Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, do nations to St. Philip's Anglican Church or to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.

The Sun Times would like to apologize to the Family of the late Margaret Quinton and the Currie Funeral Home for our error in not running the notice on Saturday, December 13, 1997. We sincerely regret any further grief this may have caused.

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